West Ham United transfer news as Salernitana will struggle to keep Boulaye Dia
West Ham United are interested in signing Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia with the Serie A side facing a battle to keep hold of him this summer, according to Tutto Salernitana.
The Senegal attacker is on loan at Salernitana from Villarreal, enjoying some tremendous form in Serie A and there is an option to make the deal permanent for £10m [Ben Jacobs, 25 November], and the Irons could well be involved in some hefty competition for his signature.
The Hammers have indeed been linked previously with the Senegalese hitman with Italian outlet Otto Pagine revealing on 18 December that the East Londoners have made contact with his entourage as they put the pressure on Salernitana over a deal that could now be worth £17.6m.
And according to the latest report from Tutto Salernitana [29 March], Salernitana are resigned to losing Dia this summer with both Everton and West Ham United interested in his services this summer.
“It is very probable that the grenade association decides to redeem the attacker, but then it will be very difficult to keep him in Salerno.
“The requests are not lacking, especially from the Premier League. Today Dia is worth at least 20million euros (£17.6m). Everton and West Ham have often expressed interest in the French striker of Senegalese origin”, Tutto Salernitana reveals.
Capable option
With both Gianluca Scamacca and club veteran Michail Antonio facing uncertain futures this summer, the Hammers will certainly be on the market for some reliable forwards to replace them.
Signing Dia makes ideal sense, recording 10 Serie A goals and four assists so far this season, leading the club in both categories and could finally be the man to end the Iron’s dreadful striker hoodoo.
Salernitana are in the driving seat for Dia having got a loan-to-buy agreement wrapped up in the summer, but the financial might of the Premier League has a lot of sway.
If the Serie A side are struggling to keep him then West Ham United must be in the conversation to swoop for him given his strong and agile capabilities which could fit seamlessly in the Premier League.
Dia is relatively affordable on paper at over £17m and the club will certainly have money to spend after being willing to do so in January, with many of their key stars potentially leaving.